a pet's life magazine Summer 2017 - Page 26

HEALTH To spay or not to spay, is it really even a question? S ally had an unplanned litter of puppies. At the time, she was a stray and just a pup herself. One day, someone saw Sally alone on the side of the road and brought her into the local shelter. We don’t know for certain what became of her puppies, but it’s safe to assume they probably experienced the same hardships that Sally did – either living on the streets, or ending up in a shelter. Sally’s story epitomizes the problem of animal overpopulation. In addition to proactively reducing animal homelessness, there are also a multitude of health and behavioral benefits to spaying or neutering your pet: Behavioral: Roaming: The reproductive drive of unaltered animals often causes them to leave home in search of a mate. This puts them at high risk of getting lost or injured. Hormone-driven behavior: Hormonal changes associated with reproductive drive can affect an animal’s temperament. Medical: Cancer and complications in reproductive organs: Spaying or neutering your pet involves the removal of reproductive organs. In doing so, you can help protect your pet against illnesses like testicular cancer, mammary cancer, enlarged prostate gland and uterine cancer. Either way you look at it, spaying or neutering your pet is a victory for animals in general – whether it’s protecting the wellness of your own pet, or preventing future animals from experiencing the heartache of homelessness. To alter your pet is to choose to be part of a solution that saves lives, and not perpetuate a problem. San Diego Humane Society offers spay and neuter programs for the community. These resources provide affordable spay and neuter surgeries to individuals who meet eligibility requirements based on income. The program provides priority appointment scheduling to populations that are at the highest risk for overpopulation: pit bulls, chihuahuas and cats. Learn more and schedule your appointment here: www.sdhumane.org/ spay-and-neuter apl 26 apetslife magazine.com | SUMMER 2017